DISTRICT GOVERNOR MESSAGE

Blaine Johnson, District Governor
 
The month of August gives Rotarians the opportunity to celebrate membership.  Our members are the most valuable asset of this organization, and it has been an absolute privilege to travel our vast district and meet so many of you.  Without members we could not accomplish any of the good works our Rotary Clubs do.
 
ATTRACTION and ENGAGEMENT are vital to our success, but we must also be proud of and celebrate our own members, the Rotarians who have made a difference in our clubs, our local communities, and our world.  There is no magical answer to increasing membership, it takes hard work and a willingness to share your own passion for this organization with everyone.  Clubs must create strategic initiatives directed at sharing the benefits of Rotary with potential Rotarians.  Here are just a few of the things we are doing right around our district.
 
  • Make it Important.  Make it a priority.  You get more of whatever you focus on.  Don’t set a goal and toss it aside hoping that it will magically happen without your attention.  Membership is dependent upon each of us, not just the club president or the membership chair.  We all have a responsibility in being part of the solution.  Making our clubs inviting, welcoming, and fun is important not just to attract new members but to insure engagement in the members we already have. 
  • Share the Return on Investment.  I have always been inspired by those Rotarians who have been passionate about Rotary for 40, 50, and even 60 years.  But do the math.  To be a Rotarian for that long they had to start young.  To keep actively engaged for that long, there has to be a sense of purpose, something that gave them a feeling of fulfillment.  Indeed for many of us, we have benefitted from belonging to this amazing organization.  Many of the same reasons that kept those Rotarians engaged a half century ago remain true to the next generations of Rotarians.  Have some of the long time members do classification speeches again.  Let them share the benefits of membership and offer the reasons they have stayed.
Consider the many ways that we have each benefitted from belonging to Rotary.  These benefits were not ours to keep to ourselves.  They were intended to be shared.  We received these benefits because someone was willing to share them with us.
 
  • Rule of 40 (or whatever age your club may decide).  In order to attract younger members, many clubs have adopted dues structures that are more attractive to those just getting started in their careers and burdened with student loans, young children and the like.  Clubs may reduce any initiation fees, reduce club dues or even cut a break on meals.  If the new members are to remain in the club after reaching the cut-off age, there could even be a net financial gain to the club, in addition to gaining a number of new friends.  Other clubs may have sponsors willing to pay the dues of a worthy Rotarian. 
 
  • Open Houses.  Many clubs take the opportunity to hold open houses, business after hours events, or other social opportunities where prospective members are invited to learn more about Rotary.  Go the extra mile and invite a nonprofit that has benefitted from the service of your Rotary Club to share the impact that the Rotary Club has made in the community with prospective members. Invite guests to come back for a social event, club meeting or service project.  Start building the relationship before popping the question.
 
  • Create a Bit of Friendly Competition.   Divide your club into teams and create a bit of rivalry by encouraging them to compete for sponsoring the most new members.  Reward the winners with Paul Harris points, a break on club dues, or a donation to The Rotary Foundation.  Competition keeps the importance of membership at the forefront and adds some fun to what many see as a chore. 
Take a moment to read Tom Gump’s 10 Tips to Attract and Retain Quality Members in this month’s newsletter.  I’m sure you will find them helpful and relevant.